“The Wisest Rasts asked: ‘Why does this tree stand?’ It was an Ashfern tree. The tree was gnarly. The tree was beautiful. The tree was tiny. The tree was short. The tree was old. Older than any tree. Its crown dwarfed any he’d ever seen. It was close to the village. It was perfect for shade. Children came over. They napped. They played. They Danced.”

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“Ohh! What is that?” John asked David, staring at the enormous tree in the distance.

“That, Thomas, is an Ashfern tree. It’s said to rise from fallen Rasts. Feeding off their powerful bodies to grow to such tall heights. It is one of the tallest known species on the continent.” He explained, as if talking to a little child who was just now seeing the world for the first time.

“Especially interesting is the wood. When exposed to air, the wood quickly changes colour from a bright yellow to an ash grey. In the process, it becomes as hard as steel. However, because of the rarity of the tree, it’s quite hard to find anything made from Ashfern wood.”

“Woaah, that’s so cool! It has to be at least 300 meters tall! I wonder if anyone has climbed to the top.” John said with his usual childish excitement.

“I believe I have heard of a certain tribe in the south that incorporates these trees in their magical rituals. They’re known to be able to grow these trees.” He neglected to mention that he himself had climbed Ashfern trees several times when he was younger. He’d never hear the end of it. Thomas would demand they climb to the top or he’d throw a tantrum.

He adjusted the 2 children strapped to his chest once again. It seemed the rope he’d made a few days ago was becoming stiff. They’d need to be replaced soon.

He didn’t trust Thomas’ bonded. Although he’d calmed down considerably after his initial outburst. He could show gratitude towards it. Whilst he strongly disagreed with the decision of giving Thomas Cloudberries, as it possibly ruined the boy for life, even if it kept him going at that moment. It had kept them all alive despite the terrible odds they faced. It had ruthlessly culled the entire population of animals and Rasts around the clearing. Even stopping Thomas when he planned to go back in the mine for the fourth time, likely saving his life.

As much as it pained him to hear how almost 50 people had slowly suffocated, it relieved him much more to see his sister still breathing.

Speaking of Thomas, David was indebted to him. For saving his sister. Although Thomas did no doubt did not see it as such, he’d made a very brave decision when he went back down into the mine to carry them up. Most people would simply have escaped, leaving their fellow slaves to die.

David could only hope that the boy would be able to pull through. They’d stop feeding him cloudberries when they reached the village. The rest would be up to him.

It would be a tremendous loss to everyone should such a promising boy be unable to face the world’s horrors.

“We need to find some more Redlarg. The ropes I made before we left are becoming stiff. We’ll have to make camp soon, so that me and Stoat can search for some.” David said. Carefully measuring the boy’s reaction, to see if he could be trusted, or if one of them would have to stay behind.

“Ehh!? Has it already been that long? It’s so cool to see all these things. The giant trees and the unique Rasts. I guess time passes quickly when you’re having fun.” Thomas said. He looked mildly dejected that they’d have to make camp so early in the day.

He’d had learnt the boy to be careful. Listening to what David had to say despite being affected by the cloudberries. David had to wonder what he was like normally, if he was this prudent now.

“Do you think you can manage on your own? Stoat and I will have to go search for some, but one of us can stay behind if you feel unsafe. This area should be secure, otherwise I wouldn’t dare to simply leave you.” David was in a hurry. He wanted to get to the village. He didn’t how both Thomas and his sister could be affected by the cloudberries and coma, respectively.

“Yeah, we’ll be fine. I’ll protect them if anyone comes!” Thomas answered, flexing his emaciated arms.

David simply shook his head and scrutinised the surrounding area for an ideal place to camp.

It didn’t take long for them to find an adequate place. They’d found an alcove in the distance, hovering slightly above the treeline. Safe from most predators. Although they’d have to carry Thomas up there, as he wasn’t strong enough to climb.

“See that alcove up there?” David said as he pointed at the mountainside.

“Yeah? What about it?”

“We’re going to be sleeping there tonight.” The look of disbelief on Thomas’ face made it all the more worth it.

David Gently put down his sister and the other child, placing them close to the fire. Then helped Stoat untie the teenage girl on his back.

He made sure that to tell Thomas that he shouldn’t get close to the edge and then promptly jumped off of it himself. Stoat following shortly.

Once he landed, he immediately started running through the forest to search for Redlarg.

He searched in a grid pattern to cover as much ground as possible. Running in straight lines lest he miss anything by accident. The entire area around the alcove was a potential place for the Redlarg to grow. It could grow practically anywhere with even a miniscule amount of dirt and sunlight.

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“I wonder if I can ever do that… David says he’ll teach me how when we get to the village. You see, I really travel too. I need to find my brother. But we have to wake you up first. I’ll be patient until then. When you’ve woken up, I’ll pester him until he teaches me.” Thomas said to the slaves, while he threw another stick into the fire.

“Have you ever heard of my brother? He’s apparently famous in the militia! He’s known for being super strong and super fast! I’m really excited to meet him again. It’s been weeks since we last saw each other. We have a lot to catch up on.” He Trailed off as he said the last part. He was curious if the wish had changed Cary as much as it had changed him.

He looked down at his thin arms and legs. He was gaining some weight back. He no longer looked like a starved child, but he wasn’t better than your average anorexic.

John hadn’t forgotten his title, Apprentice. So far, it hadn’t been very fitting. He hadn’t learnt a damn thing! Except some bits and pieces on how to live in the wild. How to clean up and feed coma patients. Magic and Magical creatures existed. And that cloudberries were delicious.

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It was frustrating. Everyone was always vague. He wanted concrete answer, dammit.

‘Well, I guess it IS magic, not science… Then again, does the scientific method apply to magic? Probably. The scientific method should apply to anything with consistent rules, right? Then it should already have been turned into a science. The vague answers are BS. They already have trucks! And iron for large projects… I don’t get this world.’

His musings were interrupted by scratching sounds from below him.

‘What do I do. David said not to go over to the edge… But I want to investigate. Well, it’s sounds like it’s getting closer. Is it a Rasts? Then I should probably get ready to throw a rock at it, right?’

He picked up a rock and crawled closer to the edge, but not too close. Ready to ambush it should it turn out to be a predator or a Rasts.

He impatiently waited for the scratching to get closer. He wanted to see what it was! Was he in danger? Would he be able to fight it off? He didn’t know! It was spine-tingling!

A large stoat head popped up, carrying long red leaves in its mouth.

“Aww, I wanted to fight a Rasts. Anyway, welcome back Stoat!”

His companion gave him a strange look when he said that, before shaking its head. Stoat lightly jumped up on the alcove. Dropping the leaves in the corner and placing a rock on them, lest they be taken by the wind, delaying their journey even further.

Thomas unhesitatingly approached the pile of leaves and started weaving. Much to his delight, he discovered it wasn’t as complicated as he feared. It was just like braiding paracord. Something he’d learnt off the internet. He could easily do a 4-braid rope like David did, even though he hadn’t taught him very much. Stoat watched intently, intending to stop him if he proved to be wasting the leaves, but relaxed when he saw how adept Thomas was at braiding.

He experimented slightly, when he’d eventually braided 4 leaves and had to tie new leaves onto the ones he’d braided. But the leaves were so tough and easy to work with, he didn’t have much trouble.

Within minutes, he had almost 3 meters of braided rope. He smiled proudly! Surely David could use these.

He was promptly tacked to the ground by Stoat. He heard a loud screech right behind him.

Quickly turning around, he saw a humongous bird. Easily 4 or 5 meters tall. It was starving. It had bright yellow leathery and spiky wings, with a sharp and pointy beak. Its eyes looked unhinged. Mad. The intelligence he’d seen in every Rasts wasn’t present in the bird.

Stoat stood above him; its tightly wound muscles ready to leap into attack.

“Woah, that also looks like a pok-. Wait, why am I so sure that it’s starving? I know almost nothing about birds.” He murmured to himself. Mulling over why he knew how the bird felt.

The stare down continued, neither willing to back down.

John inspected the bird closer.

“It looks ragged and worn. But that doesn’t make sense. If Stoat hasn’t attacked yet, that probably means it’s a Ba-Rasts, then why is it starving? Much less injured, it should easily be able to hunt any animal it saw… Wait, is that blood?” He said to himself, looking at a red spot on its chest. “It’s wounded? It got into a fight with another Ba-Rasts, maybe?”

Stoat crouched slightly, as if preparing to attack.

“Hey bird!” John yelled, startling both the Bird and Stoat. Its enormous head jerked down, locking eyes with John. Ravenous. “I think you should go; I don’t think you can win against Stoat. He’s pretty strong. And David will be very cross if you swallow our patients, so you can’t eat them either. He is very smart, so he can probably treat you. I think you should just relax. Stoat can help you find some food.” John commanded.

The bird stared at him. John didn’t look away, but curiously inspected it further. He’d seen Rasts, but he’d never been this close to one either, not counting Stoat. He was so cute, he didn’t count.

He eventually crawled out from under Stoat, much to his companion’s dismay. He wanted to examine the bird’s wound.

It looked even more magnificent the closer he got. Almost like a dinosaur, only larger and more dangerous.

Its wings were still spread out, ready to escape or attack. John could see the thick leather between its… fingers? Whatever. They were a combination of leather and feathers. That’s why he mistook it as a bird at first. Was it still a bird? What made a bird a bird? He didn’t know, but the Rasts in front of him looked cool. Whatever species it was.

“Hi, my name is Thomas. Can I see your wound?” He made sure to ask first. He had to be polite.

Its eyes hadn’t left him whilst he walked over. It gazed at John. John stood unflinching in front of it and curiously inspected it.

“Woah, this looks terrible. There’s pus leaking out if it.” He said as he’d gently lifted the feathers covering the wound.

“Thomas!” A shout startled the wounded bird. Thomas casually turned around. “Hey David, this is my new friend. He’s a bird.”

David had scrambled up from the edge of the cliff, warily looking at the Ba-Rasts in front of Thomas. He’d rushed back as soon as he saw it, hoping they hadn’t already been eaten.

When Thomas said that so casually, David really wanted to strangle him. He stood so nonchalantly in front of a Ba-Rasts, completely disregarding the danger he was in.

“Hey David, can you fix his wound? He’s injured, and I told him you could fix him up.” Thomas continued.

“This really isn’t a good time to go around helping others Thomas…” He spoke, equally annoyed and wary.

“Aww, come on, I already told him you could, can’t you just check it out at least? Here, look, there’s pus leaking out of it’s wound, I think the wound has been there’s for a long time.” He moved the bird’s feathers so David could see.

The wound increased his uncertainty.

‘This stinks of foul play. Its emaciated, heavily wounded and starving. It shouldn’t be calmly standing in front of him letting him inspect it. It should be swallowing him whole. Why isn’t it? Why is it even emaciated in the first place? And its vitality should’ve long since removed any trace of an injury like that.’

He glanced at Stoat, who’d been largely ignored the entire time.

Thomas’ companion sat calmly. Not a hint of tension. Curiously observing their surroundings.

‘First, it feeds Thomas cloudberries, and know it’s completely calm in front of another Ba-Rasts? This journey to find my sister and Edward’s little brother has been abnormal from start to finish.’

“Hurry up, can’t you do some magic to fix it right up?” Thomas urged impatiently.

David had told him a dozen times he couldn’t do magic, and yet Thomas had refused to believe him.

He slumped in defeat. He just couldn’t win, could he?

“Hey Stoat, can’t you find some food for it? It’s starving. It might get healthier faster if we give it something to digest.”

Stoat glanced at David to see if he agreed with the decision. Stoat then dashed off the cliff to search for the food to feed the injured bird, when David desperately shook his head to say no.

‘Why would you leave Thomas!? Why now, of all times?! He’s your bonded! Stick with him! I swear, they’re both going to be the death of me.’

He hesitatingly approached the tall Ba-Rasts, hoping it didn’t decide to end his life on a whim.

Thomas hadn’t moved his hand away from it, and David could visibly see the pus leaking out. He still had the bandages from the camp, as there hadn’t been a need to use them yet.

He’d considered using them to make shoes for Thomas, but he didn’t seem to be bothered by his lack of footwear, so David had saved them instead.

The wound would first have to be treated. And he certainly didn’t carry the tools around. He’d have to boil water, somehow.

Not something he thought he’d spend his day on, but apparently, his plans had changed.

“I’ll have to clean the wound of that much pus, so I’ll have to boil some water first. I have to make a bowl to boil the water. It’ll take some time, but I can do it. Your friend just has to be a bit patient. Think he can manage?” David said, trying to sound as relaxed as possible.

“He’ll be fine. He just wants to get healthy again. He’s a bit fidgety but he’ll manage.” Thomas answered reassuringly.

Sometime during the conversation, “it” had changed to “he”.

David practically sprinted to the nearest tree and violently punched it.

The tree collapsed as his fist struck it. Ungracefully falling over to the side. He tore a sizeable chunk off of it almost before it hit the ground and ran back to the alcove.

Once there, he quickly pulled out his knife to whittle a crude but thin bowl, as he needed the bowl to be thin enough for the heat to pass through the wood.

His hand was a blur as he worked as fast as he could. It wasn’t long before he had a large wooden bowl in front of him.

He dashed to the nearest river to fill it with water and returned to the alcove to keep it above the fire.

By that time Stoat had also returned, and David internally sighed in relief as Stoat had found a Rasts and hunted it down.

The bird gracefully but ravenously pecked the Rasts, in mere moments swallowing the entire thing.

He still didn’t trust the Ba-Rasts in front of him at all. It had yet to attack them. Emphasis on yet. For some mysterious reason. Thomas definitely had a hand in it, though.

Quickly, but never fast enough, the water had started boiling.

David took the bowl of the fire and carefully approached the Ba-Rasts.

“Can you tell him that this is going to hurt a lot?” He inquired; he’d rather not be attacked because it assumed he was hurting it.

“He already knows. I told him it’s a good kind of pain.” Thomas smiled.

David was sweating from fear when he gently started pouring the simmering water on it. Ready to jump back with Thomas at the smallest sign of it attacking them.

It flinched slightly when it felt the hot water, but didn’t otherwise move. David tried to be as quick and efficient as possible. And hopefully get away from the Ba-Rasts.

Thomas’ hand never left the Ba-Rasts, and he caressed it gently while David cleaned the wound of pus and debris.

He carefully put on the bandage, hoping he’d taken enough with him to cover the entirety of it.

Luckily, he’d taken just enough for it to work and cover the worst of it, until the no doubt ridiculous regeneration of a Ba-Rasts would make it look like it had never been there.

David audibly sighed when he’d finished bandaging the Ba-Rasts. He turned to Thomas and said:

“Should be alright now, he’ll be fine. He can scrape the bandages of himself when the wound no longer hurts.” The tension drained out of him. This had been one of the most intense moments of his life. Ba-Rasts were far and few in between, especially in the inner areas. He hadn’t seen many, and always avoided them if possible. Much less treated one.

“He says you’re okay now. You can take off the bandage when it no longer hurts.” Thomas repeated what David had said.

It shuffled about slightly, and Thomas laughed.

David tensed up again when it didn’t fly away. And he turned pale when he heard what Thomas said.

“What’s that? You want to stay? Of course, you can stay. We’d love to have you!” Thomas said happily, before David could stop him.

“Hey, do you think you can give us a ride? We’re trying to get to the Village where David is from, and it’ll take us several weeks to travel there by foot. Do you think you can carry 5 people? Stoat can make himself tiny, so you don’t have to worry about him.”

David buried his face in his hands. ‘Why me…’ He was stuck with a child heavily affected by cloudberries with even more ridiculous shamanistic abilities. Had to care for several patients. And had to deal with an unreliable Ba-Rasts who was bonded to the child affected by said cloudberries. The list goes on.

John giggled. “You’re so good at making those funny faces.”